Big Banks Are Behind the Violation of Human Rights At Standing Rock Protests

As water protectors work to protect the land and water that is sacred to both the tribes to whom it belongs, and to the communities all over the nation dependent upon safe, clean water, others are looking into the motivations by police and corporations to force this pipeline into reality.

While the president finally acknowledged the widespread protests this week by saying that engineers are considering alternate routes for the pipelines, it is clear that he misses the point. Water protectors are not just opposing the presence of the pipeline on treaty lands – rather, they are working to protect the water of hundreds of communities.

So why is this pipeline being built in the first place? Why here, and why now?

One clue to this answer is to look at who is funding the pipeline – and who stands to profit from it.

With that kind of big bank capital, the pressure is on to complete this pipeline in a timely and efficient manner. The one thing standing in the way of that efficiency is the scores of protesters and water protectors who are calling on the corporation and the federal government to put human life and planetary health over profit.

So what do the police forces do to keep the pipeline on schedule? They attack peaceful protesters with rubber bullets, mace, tasers, and brute force. They arrive in riot gear and walking in-line with military-grade humvees. They charge through sacred burial grounds and assault elders holding prayer sticks.

Sydney Robinson is a political writer for the Ring of Fire Network. She has also appeared in political news videos for Ring of Fire. Sydney has a degree in English Literature from the University of West Florida, and has an active interest in politics, social justice, and environmental issues. She would love to hear from you on Twitter
@SydneyMkay or via email at srobinson@ringoffireradio.com